Blaine Gibson

Blaine R. Gibson (February 11, 1918 – July 5, 2015) was an American artist, sculptor, animator, and theme park designer best known for his work with The Walt Disney Company. Gibson made contributions to both Disney's animation division and its theme parks as an animator and a sculptor. He brought many of the park's most famous Audio-Animatronic figures to three-dimensional life for attractions like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and more.

Early life Gibson was born on February 11, 1918, on a 250-acre melon farm in Rocky Ford, Colorado. At age five, Gibson showed an interest in art and drawing. When he was 12, Gibson entered a sculpting contest sponsored by Procter & Gamble, where he sculpted an elephant out of a bar of Ivory soap. Gibson won the contest and was awarded $10.

After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Colorado but had to drop out when he ran out of money.

Gibson continued to sculpt as a hobby during his off-time from Disney. He took sculpture classes at Pasadena City College and apprenticed with a private instructor to improve his skills. In 1954, Walt Disney saw some animal sculptures created by Gibson at a studio employee art exhibition and started Gibson on creating sculptures for Disneyland Park, which was opening the following year.

In 1999, Gibson sculpted a companion statue for Partners called Sharing the Magic. It depicted Roy O. Disney and Minnie Mouse sitting on a park bench, hand-in-hand. Like Partners, the statue was duplicated for other locations: the Disney Studio in 2003 and Tokyo Disneyland.

Gibson was honored as a Disney Legend in 1993.

Death Blaine Gibson died on July 5, 2015, of age-related causes.

Personal life Gibson was married to his wife, Coral, for 55 years. She died in 1998. The Gibsons had one son.